Mount Nemrut is 103 km east of
Adıyaman. It stands inside the township
Kahta.
Mount Nemrut, the tumulus of the
Antiochus, the
King of Commagene, the fire altar and gigantic sculptures ,
Arsamela (
Eskikale) ,
Yenikale,
Karakuş Tepe and cendere
Bridge are cultural values within the
National Park.
Mithradates I has founded an independent kingdom in the region which was calles Commagene in old ages but the kingdom became important during the reign of his son
Antiochos 1 ( 62-32 BC). The independency of the kingdom ended on a war against
Rome in 72 AD which was lost. The remnants on the summon of
Mount Nemrut are not remnants of settlements but the tumulus of Antiochus and sacred places. On both terraces there are gigantic sculptures reaching 7 meters height in sitting position between sculptures of lions and eagles.
Antiochus,
Fortuna-
Kommagene,
Zeus-
Oramasdes,
Apollon-Mithras,
Herakles-
Artagues, the eagle and lion are lined up on the terrace. These have been surrounded with orthostats with inscriptions and reliefs on them. This opus is lost. Around old
Kahta village there stands
Arsameia which was the capitol city of
Commagene. Here stands the sacred area of
Mithradates. Again close to
Old Kahta around the
Kocahisar Village, there stands
Yenikale (
New castle) erected on cliffs. Although the castle has traces from the
Middle Age, it belongs to a later Age. Inside the castle there are water tanks, a bath, a mosque and the hidden gutter running down to
Kahta Brook. At the location where
Çaydere which is an arm of
Kahta Brook there is the one arched
Candere Bridge built between two main rocks. According to the inscriptions on the columns of the bridge the bridge was built to the honour of the
Roman Empire Septimus Severius(193-211 AD) , his wife and sons by the city of
Commagene.
Mount Nemrut, the tumulus of
King Antiochus of Commagene and the sacred places, the gigantic sculptures,
Ansemaia (
Old castle),
Yeni Kale,
Karakuş hill and
Cendere bridge are the most important opuses to be visited by visitors. Services available and accomodation : There is a countryside tea house in the National park providing service to day visitors. Accomodation is provided in
Karadut and
Kahta by means of pensions.
Mount Nemrut which has been declared as
World Culture heritace by
UNESCO is one of the important
National Parks of Turkey together with the opuses of the
Commanege Civilization in the surroundings.
